Sales & Earnings

Germany’s Boehringer Ingelheim highlighted its clinical-stage research efforts in neuropsychiatry and COVID-19 when describing its first half financial results as solid, despite the continuing impact of the pandemic.

Amgen reported 5% year-over-year revenue growth to $6.5bn in the second quarter, up 11% from Q1. It did not break out Lumakras sales but detailed upcoming data that may support future indications.

The upcoming filing of Lilly's Alzheimer's antibody donanemab dominated the company's second quarter call. Lilly is also developing a new blood test to confirm diagnosis and a second-generation antibody. 

France’s Ipsen has taken an exclusive option on two neurodegenerative disease programs at US biotech Exicure, whose oligonucleotide nanoparticles are taken up by many tissues, including the brain.

Pfizer’s earnings were skewed by its coronavirus vaccine for the second quarter running while GSK’s vaccine sales were helped by the catch-up on pediatric immunization schedules. Sales of influenza vaccines may come to the fore in the second half.

Volume gains from the entry into China’s national reimbursement program offset deep price cut for AstraZeneca’s major selling Tagrisso in the second quarter of 2021.

Citing the FDA approval of Biogen’s Aduhelm, AbbVie tells quarterly call it will end development of anti-tau Alzheimer’s candidate and seek to develop a quick-acting beta-amyloid therapy.

The company’s two approved cell therapies led growth in oncology. But despite oncology currently accounting for a small share of Gilead’s overall business, analysts expect big readouts later in the year.

The psoriasis market is a tough one for bimekizumab to crack but UCB head of immunology Emmanuel Caeymaex believes the clinical package and investment in promotion will see the IL-17A and IL-17F inhibitor topple its rivals.

HIV PrEP and treatments saw increases in sales, though the US treatment market’s recovery was slower than expected and may need “several” quarters to return to pre-pandemic levels.

Merck's new CEO Robert Davis talked about his vision for business development and how the company might use the $9bn gained from the spinout of Organon.

Sanofi’s sales grew strongly in the second quarter, driven by the immunologic Dupixent and its vaccines business, with the company also reporting success in a further potential indication for the product, chronic spontaneous urticaria. The big pharma has raised its EPS guidance for the year.